Euphorbia is a genus in the family Euphorbiaceae. Consisting of 2008 species, Euphorbia is the fourth largest genus of flowering plants. Succulent species originate mostly from Africa, the Americas and Madagascar. The common name “spurge” derives from the Middle English/Old French espurge (“to purge”), due to the use of the plant’s sap as a medicinal purgative. The plants are annual or perennial herbs, woody shrubs or trees. Smaller Euphorbias make excellent potted plants while larger species are valuable landscaping plants.

Euphorbia globosa, commonly known as Globose Euphorbia or Globose Spurge in English and Eierpol, Knopmelkbol or Langbeentjie in Afrikaans, is a dwarf South African endemic succulent composed of usually round, scaly, green-grey spherical bodies, growing in circular clusters. This succulent has a spreading growth form when found in its natural habitat, with a hidden underground stem. In cultivation, the plant tends to grow upwards, seemingly like connected beads. The branches emerge at ground level, composed of an elongated structure made up of connected marble-like bodies. As a mechanism to reduce water loss, as in many succulents, the plant lacks proper developed leaves and has few, small leaves.